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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: Gingin
Date: 01-02-2006, 11:57 PM (1 of 8)
Hi all. I'm new and thought I'd say hello. I recently was given a sewing machine. It's an old Singer Touch and Sew model #639. I do not have the manual and I'm at such a loss. I haven't sewed anything in almost 20 years. I was all excited and went out and bought some thread and wanted to learn to sew a basic straight line. I also bought some prefilled bobbins. I'm almost embarrassed to admit, but I do not understand how to thread the bobbin up in the machine.  I have the main thread, threaded correctly (I think) but I cannot understand how to make them work together. I tried sewing and it just punched holes in the fabric, no thread went it lol. Please don't think I'm stupid, I just cannot figure it out and I'm getting very frustrated with the whole thing, already. If anyone could please help me figure out the proper way to get the bobbin and the main thread to work together, I would so appreciate it!Thanks |
User: Gingin
Member since: 01-02-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-03-2006, 12:34 AM (2 of 8)
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Prefilled bobbins may not work in your machine. Your machine may take metal or those special Singer bobbins that are LARGE on top and small on the bottom and WOUND in the bobbin case. You really need a manual. www.sewing-machine-manuals.com www.sewusa.com your bobbin winds in the machine. You need the Singer bobbins that are LARGE on top and small on the bottom. You have a dial to your right and when you turn it, you'll find a BOBBIN symbol. turn it to the bobbin symbol, have the SINGER bobbin in place, have it threaded like you would for sewing and wind the bobbin IN PLACE. Singer bobbins like that can be found at most JoAnn's, Hancocks, Wal Marts and some fabric/quilting shops still sell them. Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: Mom of Six
Date: 01-03-2006, 01:03 AM (3 of 8)
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You can buy the manual here http://www.4bandit.addr.com/manuals.htm It is $15 + shipping Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
|
From: Gingin
Date: 01-03-2006, 01:08 AM (4 of 8)
| Thank you. I believe you are right, now that you pointed it out. I don't think I have the right bobbin. I will check around tomorrow and see if I can find the one I need. I'm going to hold off on getting the manual for now, because I might be getting a better sewing machine soon. I just really wanted to do a little practicing before then. My mom is supposed to be giving me her old one, which isn't really all that old and she has the manual for it. I guess I was just anxious to get started! Thanks again |
User: Gingin
Member since: 01-02-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-03-2006, 11:57 AM (5 of 8)
|
The old Singer Touch and Sew machines took a clear plastic bobbin that came apart in the center. It was smaller on the bottom than the top and it sat flat in the bobbin case. The top of the bobbin was a little larger than the "average" bobbin and it wasn't very thick. The top of the bobbin had lines that helped you judge how full your bobbin was. To fill the bobbin you put the empty bobbin the case (under the sliding plate), threaded your machine as normal and held on to the end of the thread. You pushed a little flat button in the left bottom corner of the bobbin area. The machine automatically threaded the bobbin. You did not have to cut the machine to bobbin thread to start sewing. You just started with the loop on the end. It was a great feature. The bobbin didn't hold a lot of thread, but it was easy to use. That is why they called it Touch and Sew. THey probably should have called it Push and Sew since you had to push the button. You should be able to purchase those bobbins I would think. It was a very popular line of machines that lasted several years. Most of the schools and univesities in my area used the Touch and Sew machines. They had some problems with the early knits (the knits were different from the ones we have now)...they tended to skip stitches. The machine came in a variety of colors, each designated different levels of sewing machine. I remember Gold (as far as I know it was the top), green pink, blue and grey. My mother bought a grey one. It was near the top of the line. Besides the number of decorative stitches, I don't remember what distinguished the machines. It has been a little too long. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Gingin
Date: 01-03-2006, 06:42 PM (6 of 8)
|
Okay, I'm still stuck! I found the bobbin I needed. I tried to get it to wind the bobbin, but gave up and hand wound it. Now I still can't get the bottom thread and the top thread to make a connection. I looked online and looked at an online manual, did everything it explained and still not working. Maybe the machine is not working. If anyone can offer advice, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks |
User: Gingin
Member since: 01-02-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-03-2006, 07:25 PM (7 of 8)
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It may just need a simple timing adjustment. It is probably time to take it in and have it cleaned and adjusted.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: wghmch
Date: 01-05-2006, 12:56 PM (8 of 8)
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The 639 was one of many Singers that used plastic gears for the timing, which ultimately crumbled and had to be replaced. If one is broken, the hook that picks up the stitch won't turn. The hook is the large metal ring within which the bobbin case & bobbin rest. If you rotate the hand wheel and the hook does not turn at the same time, you have a broken gear. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
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